IngredientsTasmannia lanceolata, commonly known as pepper tree, native pepper, mountain pepper, or mountain pepperbush, is a species of flowering plant in the family Winteraceae, and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. The accepted scientific name is Tasmannia lanceolata (Poir.) A.C. Smith, a member of the family Winteraceae, previously known as Drimys aromatica, Drimys lanceolata, Tasmannia aromatica, and Wintera lanceolata. The species was originally described by the French botanist Jean Louis Poiret. Until 1969 it was classified in the genus Drimys and was named Drimys lanceolata.
Some of the common names are Tasmanian pepper leaf, mountain pepper, and Tasmanian pepper bush. The genus Tasmannia is the next largest in the Winteraceae family, with approximately 30 species.
It is a dioecious bushy shrub to small tree with lance-shaped or narrowly elliptic leaves, male and female flowers on separate plants, the flowers with 3 to 9 petals, and the fruit a deep maroon to glossy black berry. Tasmannia lanceolata is a bushy shrub or small tree that typically grows to a height of 1.5–4 m and has smooth, reddish branchlets. The aromatic leaves are lanceolate to narrowly elliptical in shape (4–12 cm long, 0.7–2 cm wide) with a distinctly pale undersurface.
It grows as a branched shrub from 2 to 5 m, with dark shiny green leaves and a distinct crimson young stem. The plant has separate male and female white to creamy white flowers and produces a dark purple (almost black) fleshy fruit containing many small black seeds. It grows at high altitudes in Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales and is endemic to southeastern Australia and Tasmania. Tasmannia lanceolata grows well in cool environments, free from water stress, in neutral, well-drained, and fertile soil. The leaves and berries are mainly wild harvested between March and June.
The fruit of T. lanceolata was used by early European settlers in Australia as a substitute for black pepper. There is renewed interest in using the leaf and berry as a spice; it is currently used in novelty food products such as marinades, pickles, oils, and healthcare products. When the berry is air dried it forms a small, hard peppercorn which is suitable for milling or crushing. The berry has a pleasant spicy flavour and sharp aroma.
Tasmanian pepper leaf and berry, traditionally used in food as tea, essential oils, flavoring agents, and spice blends, are becoming more widely cultivated due to growing demand in food, cosmetic, and health-related sectors. In research contexts, extracts have been prepared using a range of organic solvents including methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, hexane, and water, as well as supercritical extraction techniques. Polygodial has been efficiently extracted and isolated in gram-scale quantities (3.3% w/w) from Tasmannia lanceolata via a pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE) technique.
Australian Aborigines used T. lanceolata as a therapeutic agent to treat stomach disorders and as an emetic, as well as general usage as a tonic. It was also used by Australian Aborigines for the treatment and cure of skin disorders, venereal diseases, colic, stomach ache, and as a quinine substitute. Indigenous Australians have utilized the leaves and berries of this plant for centuries. Traditional remedies often involved using decoctions and infusions made from the leaves and berries to alleviate symptoms of colds, stomach disorders, and skin ailments.
Traditionally, the plant was used for its antiseptic properties as well as its flavour, and both the leaves and fruit were used. T. lanceolata was used as a flavouring agent by Australian Aborigines and more recently by European settlers. Historically, the leaves have been used as a herb and the berries have been used as a spice.
The fruit of T. lanceolata was used by early European settlers in Australia as a substitute for black pepper. European settlers also found it to be a good treatment for scurvy. Historically, the leaves have been used as a herb and the berries have been used as a spice.
It is important to note that apart from the reported ethnopharmacological uses of Tasmanian pepper, surprisingly few studies have rigorously examined this species for its medical properties. Traditional uses described above are therefore based on historical and ethnographic records, not clinical validation, and should be distinguished clearly from the scientific evidence reviewed below.
Tasmannia lanceolata is known for its essential oil containing the sesquiterpene polygodial, which imparts a pungent flavor and exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, making it useful in culinary applications. Polygodial accounts for as high as 6% of the dry weight of the plant material, and for this reason research into T. lanceolata phytochemistry has largely concentrated on this component. A recent analysis of commercial essential oil components reported these to be predominantly sesquiterpenic, with polygodial (36.74%) being the major component.
Polygodial is a sesquiterpene dialdehyde first isolated from Persicaria hydropiper (syn. Polygonum hydropiper) by Loder at CSIRO, Australia in 1962. Polygodial is widely distributed, occurring in the roots, bark and leaves of several trees, in plants and liverworts, and, more surprisingly, in marine sponges and nudibranchs.
Tasmanian pepper leaf is abundant in phenolic acids and flavonols including chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and p-coumaric acid, whereas its berry is rich in anthocyanins such as cyanidin 3-rutinoside and cyanidin 3-glucoside. The majority of studies found polar compounds such as caffeic acid, coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, anthocyanins, kaempferol, catechin, and ellagic acid to be the active components responsible for the therapeutic effects.
Tasmanian pepper is particularly high in terpenes and phenolic compounds but also has high levels of a variety of other antioxidants, including anthocyanins and anthocyanin glycosides. The fruits also contain benzoic acids, flavanols, and flavanones, as well as eugenol, methyl eugenol, and gallic acid, and the glycosides quercetin and rutin.
A total of 39 non-anthocyanin polyphenols were tentatively identified in T. lanceolata leaf extracts by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS analysis.
Tasmannia oils were characterized by monoterpenoids including α- and β-pinene, limonene, sabinene, α-phellandrene, 1,8-cineole and linalool; sesquiterpenoids including caryophyllene, bicyclogermacrene, germacrene D, elemol, and viridiflorol; and phenylpropanoids including eugenol, safrole, and myristicin.
Polygodial is a lipophilic drimane-type sesquiterpene dialdehyde with known activity at transient receptor potential (TRP) channel family members including TRPA1 and TRPV1. Polygodial also activates transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) channels and is known as an agonist of TRPV1. This covalent mechanism has been described for polygodial, which modulates TRPA1, an analgesic target protein, via covalent bonding with lysine residues. Polygodial has potent antibiotic, antifungal, and insecticidal activity, and exhibits cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and glucocorticoid activities. It has been reported as a plant and insect growth regulator and also possesses anti-nociceptive effects mediated via inhibition of TRPV1.
When tested on S. cerevisiae, polygodial proved to be fungicidal rather than fungistatic. When cells of S. cerevisiae are treated in vitro with polygodial, the cell membrane becomes severely damaged, and many vesicles, possibly formed from the fragmented cell membrane, can be observed within the cytoplasm.
Hexane extracts contain the highest amount of bioactive compounds and demonstrate the strongest antimicrobial activities, while methanol and ethanol extracts reveal the highest phenolic content and antioxidant properties. Free radical scavenging activity is attributed primarily to the dense phenolic and flavonoid fraction of the plant.
In cell culture studies, polygodial robustly inhibits the viability, colony formation, and migration of taxane-resistant castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cell lines. Polygodial promotes anoikis and induces cell cycle arrest at the G0 phase in cancer cells. Results indicate that polygodial induces oxidative stress and activates apoptosis in drug-resistant CRPC cell lines. The chemical feasibility for the proposed mechanism of action of polygodial involves the formation of a Paal–Knorr pyrrole with a lysine residue on the target protein.
Recent studies have reported Tasmanian pepper to be an extremely good source of antioxidants. Tasmanian pepper has been reported to have free radical scavenging activities more than 4 times higher than blueberries, despite having ascorbic acid levels below the level of detection. Recent studies have determined it is a good source of antioxidants, significantly superior to blueberries.
Evidence characterization: Antioxidant capacity has been measured in multiple in vitro studies using DPPH free radical scavenging and reducing power assays. Some plants reviewed for high total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, and hence prominent bioactivity, included Tasmannia lanceolata. These findings are laboratory-based; no human clinical trials have specifically examined antioxidant outcomes from T. lanceolata supplementation.
Several studies have examined the antibacterial activity of T. lanceolata extracts against a panel of bacteria including Yersinia enterocolitica, Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium perfringens, Proteus mirabilis, and a panel of bacterial gastrointestinal pathogens. The T. lanceolata peppercorn extracts were the most potent growth inhibitors among native Australian plants tested, with MIC values as low as 16 µg/mL.
In antifungal studies, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) were <25 µg/mL for polygodial, the bioactive compound in Tasmanian pepper leaf. The shelf life of date palm treated by 50 µg/mL polygodial was extended up to 21 days, three times as much as the untreated controls.
Antimicrobial activities were evaluated against two bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) and six weak-acid resistant yeasts (Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Dekkera anomala, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Schizosaccharomyces pombe).
Evidence characterization: All antimicrobial studies identified to date are in vitro (laboratory-based). No randomized controlled trials in humans examining T. lanceolata for treatment of bacterial or fungal infections have been published. Evidence strength is preliminary.
Tasmannia lanceolata pepper berries and leaves have been screened for anti-protozoal activity against Giardia duodenalis and noteworthy activity has been reported. All T. lanceolata berry and leaf extracts were nontoxic in the Artemia franciscana nauplii bioassay. The low toxicity of the extracts and their potent G. duodenalis growth inhibitory bioactivity indicates their potential as medicinal agents in the treatment and prevention of this disease.
Evidence characterization: Antiparasitic evidence is entirely preclinical (in vitro). No human studies have been conducted. Evidence is preliminary.
The leaves of Tasmannia lanceolata mainly contain polygodial, which is known to exhibit a range of biological functions including anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have reported the therapeutic properties of polygodial, including its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-hyperalgesia, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and vasorelaxation activities.
At the mechanistic level, polygodial has been shown to inhibit members of the voltage-gated sodium channel family, specifically NaV1.7 and NaV1.8, without changing the voltage-dependence of activation or inactivation. These two channels are key isoforms involved in nociception.
Evidence characterization: Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of polygodial have been established in vitro and in animal models. No adequately powered human clinical trials evaluating oral T. lanceolata preparations for pain or inflammation have been identified in the literature.
The most advanced clinical evidence for T. lanceolata pertains to topical use for stretch mark reduction. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study was carried out on 29 women, aged from 25 to 60 years, to investigate the effects of TLE on stabilized stretch marks. TLE and placebo products were topically applied daily for 8 weeks. Skin roughness and firmness of stretch marks were assessed by 2D and 3D photograph processing and analyses. Dermal density and thickness were evaluated using ultrasound, while stretch mark conditions (length, color, and depth) were determined by clinical scoring.
This was the first study to report the effects of Tasmannia lanceolata on stabilized stretch marks. Using Tasmannia lanceolata extract (TLE) significantly reduced the dermal roughness of stretch marks in women. The double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial included 29 women (mean age 47.0 ± 10.2 years; range 25 to 60 years) with a mean BMI of 26.9 ± 7.0 kg/m². The participants presented with non-inflammatory and non-pigmented stretch marks of more than 6 months' duration. The investigators applied TLE and placebo topically every day for 8 weeks; 15 participants received TLE and 14 received placebo. The researchers used 2D and 3D photograph processing and analyses to assess roughness and firmness.
Supporting ex vivo data from the same research program showed matricial proteins (pro-collagen I and elastin) and pro-matricial factors, including TGF-β concentrations, were quantified from cultures of human skin explants. Additionally, the tested composition induced a significant increase in the thickness of the dermis of stretch marks after 8 weeks of treatment (p<0.01) measured by ultrasound, and an increase in the thickness of the dermis was observed in 87% of subjects. After 8 weeks of daily application, subjects noted that stretch marks were less visible for 80% of subjects, less deep for 80% of subjects, skin was softer for 93% of subjects, and smoother for 80% of subjects.
Evidence characterization: This is the only identified human clinical trial. It was randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled, but its sample size (n=29) is small, limiting statistical power and generalizability. Published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2021). Further larger-scale replication is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
The anticancer activity of T. lanceolata extracts has not been adequately explored. Studies have examined the anti-proliferative activity of T. lanceolata berry and leaf extracts against a panel of human carcinoma cell lines using MTS assays, and apoptotic activities have been examined using cell imaging and caspase-3 activity assays. The methanolic, aqueous, and ethyl acetate extracts inhibited the proliferation of HeLa, Caco-2, Jeg-3, JAR, MC3T3-E1, and MG63 cell lines. All T. lanceolata berry and leaf extracts induced apoptosis in a panel of cancer cells and were nontoxic in the ALA toxicity bioassay and in a human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cell viability assay.
For the isolated compound polygodial specifically, polygodial, isolated from mountain pepper (Tasmannia lanceolata) among other sources, has shown anticancer properties. It robustly inhibits the viability, colony formation, and migration of taxane-resistant CRPC cell lines. Additionally, polygodial promotes anoikis and induces cell cycle arrest at the G0 phase in prostate cancer cells. Results reveal that polygodial induces oxidative stress and activates apoptosis in drug-resistant CRPC cell lines.
Evidence characterization: All anticancer evidence is in vitro (cell culture) only. No animal studies or human clinical trials in oncology have been conducted. This evidence is very preliminary and does not support any clinical claims.
No human clinical trials have established standardized oral dosage recommendations for Tasmannia lanceolata as a dietary supplement. The following dosages and concentrations have been reported exclusively in research or regulatory contexts:
Tasmannia lanceolata extract has been approved as a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) flavoring ingredient by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA). It was evaluated and approved by the Expert Panel of FEMA of the United States. It is classified as FEMA No. 4755; its primary name is Tasmannia lanceolata extract with the synonyms Drimys lanceolata extract and Drimys aromatica extract.
Tasmanian mountain pepper (Tasmannia lanceolata) is generally regarded as safe (GRAS) among native Australian essential oils, which have been increasing in commercial value over recent years.
The presence of safrole in T. lanceolata is concerning as it has been reported to be mildly genotoxic and carcinogenic in rats. Furthermore, safrole is also a weak hepatotoxin and has been shown to induce oxidative damage to liver cells. The carcinogenicity and toxicity of safrole has been shown to be due to the conversion by rat cytochrome P450 enzymes to electrophilic esters which form covalent adducts with DNA. In the past, safrole was widely used as an additive to beverages such as root beer and sassafras tea, although its use is now banned by the US FDA as a food additive and monitoring of its levels is recommended in products in which it occurs naturally.
It must be noted that these early carcinogenesis/toxicity studies were performed in rodent experimental systems, and direct extrapolation to human risk requires caution. The issue of the presence of safrole in the extract has been addressed to fulfill the requirements of the Organisation of the Flavor Industry, which has a limit of 1 mg/kg in foods and beverages. There are clonal materials that have very low or no safrole and thus have been selected for cultivation.
All T. lanceolata berry and leaf extracts tested were nontoxic in the Artemia franciscana nauplii bioassay. No significant adverse effects from dietary or supplementary use of T. lanceolata have been reported in published clinical or observational research, consistent with its long history of food use in Australia. However, the paucity of human clinical data means that a comprehensive safety profile for supplementary doses has not been established.
Some in vitro studies have demonstrated that extracts from Tasmannia lanceolata possess antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. However, these findings are preliminary and mostly limited to laboratory settings. There is a lack of robust scientific studies, such as randomized controlled trials or sizeable human studies, that confirm the efficacy and safety of Tasmanian pepperberry for treating wounds and sores. Individuals with known sensitivity to other members of the Winteraceae family should exercise caution, though no documented case series of allergic reactions specifically to T. lanceolata preparations have been identified in the peer-reviewed literature.
Health conditions that Tasmannia lanceolata may help support.
Body systems that Tasmannia lanceolata may help support.
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